Shadows in the Night [Hawkman--Book 12] (24 page)

Hawkman saw the pain and tears reflected in her face. “Were you charged."

"Of course not. The doctor knew my mother was horribly depressed about her condition, and she'd asked him more than once to end her life. Lisa still thinks I gave my mother an overdose."

"Does your uncle know about the threats from Ms. Montgomery?"

Carmen shook her head. “No. I'd never burden him with her pettiness. Besides, he doesn't need to know about all my problems. He's lost his wife, a sister and a son in the war, all in the last five years. Enough heartache and worry for one man in such a short time. To top it off, he fretted about me not having a job when mom died. He took a big chance on hiring me since I had no prior experience of anything. He's a wonderful man and I'm not about to let him down."

"If you were cleared of any charges, why does she continue to torment you?"

"I wish I knew. I've tried to figure it out. She's never cared for me or my mother. I think she might have been jealous over the attention her mother gave to mine. However, I can't be sure."

"You said her mother was evil too. What made you say that?"

"When my mother was healthy, she used to get real exasperated with May for trying to tell her how to raise me. She accused mom of letting me run wild, which I have to say she did, but it wasn't any of May's business. My dad didn't like her at all and wondered what mom saw in the woman. He always said May had an ulterior motive for befriending mom, as they had nothing in common."

"Did it ever surface?"

"I don't know. Being too young to really understand much of the women's behavior toward one another, I can only tell you what I overheard my folks say."

"Did your mother and Lisa's have their strokes close together?"

"Mom had hers first, then May had one about six weeks later."

"Did May ever come to visit your mother?"

"Not one time, nor did she ever call to ask about her."

"Ms. Sanders, I appreciate how candid you've been with me."

"Mr. Casey, it's really strange, but I feel like a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders. I really didn't want to talk to you about this stuff, but there's something about your kindness that draws out the inner thoughts of a person."

"Thank you.” He rose and picked up his valise. “I'm going to get out of here so you can get to work.” Snapping his fingers, he said. “Oh, by the way. Do you work the weekends?"

"Mr. Jackson and I trade off every other one. He'll be working this Saturday and Sunday.

Before he could leave Carmen's office, the door swung open. He grabbed the edge before it hit him in the face as Lisa Montgomery charged into the room.

She glared at Hawkman, then jerked around and faced Carmen. “I need to talk to you immediately. Please come to my office."

He noticed Carmen had thrown back her shoulders, and an invisible armor coated her countenance as she trailed Lisa into the corridor.

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Hawkman left the building and climbed into his 4X4. He sat for a moment pondering over what Carmen had told him. Did she tell the truth, or had she given her mother an overdose of insulin three years ago? He could find out real quick if any charges had been filed. Since the court house had closed for the weekend, he'd need to check with Detective Williams. Accelerating, he left Morning Glory Haven and drove to the police station. Not sure he'd find the detective in his office with the drug case pending, he decided to try.

He parked in the visitor's section and jogged up the stairs to the front door. When he entered the building, he came upon a hubbub of activity. Catching a few telltale words, he figured the sting had gone down successfully. This was not the time to talk to Williams about an old case. The man would be busy with this mess over the weekend. He twisted on his heel and exited. He'd bide his time until Monday.

Hawkman drove back to Morning Glory Haven, and hoped to find Maggie in her room after dinner. Glancing around the recreation room, he didn't spot the Hamptons, so he rode the elevator to the second floor and knocked on her door.

"Come in,” the familiar voice called.

He found Maggie in a house robe, sitting on the couch by the window, sipping on a drink with a dinner tray on a small table beside her.

"How come you're not eating at the dining hall?"

"Hello, Mr. Casey. I've been under the weather today; my arthritis is really acting up. Didn't feel like even getting dressed, much less walking anywhere. I called the chef and he had my meal sent up."

"I'm sorry to hear you're not feeling good. Can I do anything for you?” he asked, sitting down on the opposite sofa.

"No, George has run to get one of my prescriptions refilled before the pharmacy closes. What do you need?"

"I don't want to bother you if you're not up to it."

"It's okay, as long as you don't want me to dance a jig."

Hawkman smiled. “At least you've still got your sense of humor."

"Have to, or I'd cry."

"I wondered if you've ever met Lisa Montgomery's mother?"

"Oh, yes. Her name is May. She helps out when they have special events."

"Is she hired to do these things?"

"I don't know. She does show up at many of the regular doings. I've seen her at bingo several times. There's a certain group of people she's real friendly toward."

"Makes sense, with her daughter working here. She's probably encouraged people to check out this place. Have you had any personal contact with the woman?"

"No, I don't think she likes me."

"Why?"

"I tried to visit with her one day when she sat next to me at a piano recital. She brushed me off like I was a bug on her sleeve."

"Probably your imagination."

"She did it more than once. So I avoid her."

"So you're saying she's snooty?"

Maggie laughed. “Great word, describes her exactly."

"Does her daughter accompany her to these events?"

"Oh, I'm sure she's around, but doesn't have the freedom to socialize like her mother does. She's all business, and works behind the scenes."

"Did you know May had a stroke several years ago?"

"I've heard talk, but it must have been before I arrived. You certainly wouldn't know it looking at her today."

George opened the door and hobbled inside. “Ah, ha, caught you. Can't leave my good looking woman alone for any time before some guy's knocking at her door."

Maggie giggled. “Cut it out, you dirty old man."

Hawkman grinned. “I'd hoped to get out of here before you returned."

"How's the investigation going?” George asked,

"I'm working on it, but right now it seems stalled."

George shook his head. “Sorry to hear such news. I'd hoped it would have come to a head by now."

"I still have questions that need to be answered. I don't even know if you can help me."

"Shoot, we can try,” George said, flopping into the overstuffed chair and leaning his cane against the side.

"How does the emergency alarm system work, say, if someone falls in the middle of the night and pushes the button? Who calls the paramedics?"

"Oh, I can answer,” Maggie said. “When they lock up at night, the alarm system automatically goes straight to the 911 service."

"So there's no one on duty downstairs after ten at night?"

"No, not in our section."

"How do the paramedics get in?"

"They must have a special password, because one night an older man down the hall, got up after midnight to go to the bathroom, slipped on some water on the floor and couldn't get up. He managed to punch the button or pull the cord, there are two ways you can activate it. Anyway, the emergency crew came right up."

"Makes sense. So who's here until ten?"

"Usually Jackson or Sanders,” George said. “I've seen them roaming the halls when I leave at night."

"Do you by any chance know if they work split shifts, or do they come in later?"

George shrugged. “I have no idea. You'll have to ask the person. It's hard to remember the times I've spotted them about the place."

Hawkman rose. “I'll get out of here so Maggie can rest.” Holding onto the door knob he turned to George. “You take care of the little lady. Can't have her sick."

"She'll be fine by tomorrow. Not much can keep my gal down."

He left the Hamptons and went down to the first floor lounge where he flopped down on the large couch facing a huge fireplace. He looked out over the recreation room and noted the population had thinned considerably. A few stragglers in a hot checker game and a couple tables of bridge were still going strong. He checked his watch and noted the time to be eight thirty. Picking up a newspaper someone had left on the sofa, he read the first page; then a sound of laughter echoed from the bridge table and the couples stood. He heard them talking about their next time. They soon left and the only ones remaining were two men, seriously contemplating their checker moves.

By nine-thirty, the room had cleared. A cleaning woman made her way into the area with a vacuum and dust cloth. It didn't take her long before she had the room back in order, then she made her way into the lounge. Hawkman took his paper, went into the far corner of the recreation center where a television and small couch stood. When the lights in the hallway dimmed, he noted the other lights went off, and a clicking noise sounded as the front door threw on the night lock, then a small light above the door came on. He reached over, tried the switch on the lamp and it turned on. The overhead and door locks must be set on timers, he thought. Quite a technical operation.

The employees filed out of the dining room, and all left through the front door. Soon, George came down the elevator and headed across the room.

When he spotted Hawkman, he stopped. “You still here?"

"Just observing. I noted It doesn't matter if you leave the building from inside, but you can't come in. Is that right?"

"Yep. I always make sure I've got everything when I leave Maggie, as I'd hate to have her come down here and let me back in."

"How would you notify her? You don't have a cell."

"There's an in-house phone right outside the front door. I'd call her from there."

Hawkman shook his head. “Boy, this place thinks of everything."

George waved. “I'm getting tired, so I'm heading out."

Must be hard for him coming here every day, he thought, as he watched the old fellow limp out the door with the aid of his cane.

Hawkman had just about given up on seeing who had the shift until ten tonight, when the elevator door opened and Lisa Montgomery stepped out. An older woman accompanied her and they were chatting as they headed for the front door. He moved in front of them and Lisa jumped, putting her hand to her throat.

"Good Lord, you scared me to death. I certainly didn't expect to see you here tonight.” She gestured toward the other woman. “This is my mother, May Montgomery. Mom this is Tom Casey, the private investigator I've told you about."

He touched the brim of his hat. “My pleasure, Mrs. Montgomery."

"Call me May,” she said, extending her hand.

Hawkman looked at Lisa. “Do you take this shift often?"

"Occasionally, I'll let Don or Carmen off. Mom joins me and we visit with the residents on a relaxed basis."

"Seems like a nice gesture."

"Mom has talked several of her colleagues into living here, so we feel it's the right thing to do.” She put a hand on her hip. “By the way, what are you doing here at this hour?"

"Investigating a murder."

Lisa gave her mother a gentle push toward the door. “It's getting late. We've got to get home."

Just as Hawkman bid them goodnight and turned to pick up the newspaper from the couch, a shadowy figure left through the door leading into the garden between the two buildings. He raced forward, but it clicked shut before he had a chance to get sight of the person. As he looked through the glass, he noted the walkway between the buildings was shrouded in darkness. The only thing he could see from the faint light coming from the assisted living structure was the slowly closing door.

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Early the next morning, Hawkman received a frantic phone call from Maggie. He jumped out of bed, grabbed some clothes from the closet, and dressed.

Jennifer rolled over and watched him as he sat on the edge of the bed yanking on his boots. “Uh, oh. What's happened?"

"Another person has died at Morning Glory Haven."

"Natural or otherwise?"

"Don't know yet. I'll call you.'

He hurried out the door and jumped into the 4X4. Driving to Medford as fast as allowed, he arrived at the home. Several police cars were parked in front, along with the coroner's wagon. Hawkman hoofed it inside and found an officer who told him the action was on the second floor. Taking the stairs, Hawkman found the apartment, glanced inside and saw Detective Williams.

Hawkman stayed in the hallway and watched as they hoisted the covered body onto the gurney. The lab men immediately went to work on searching for evidence. Williams finally stepped into the corridor.

"What's the verdict?” Hawkman asked.

"Not sure yet, but appears suspicious. We won't know anything until they do an autopsy."

"Do you think there's been foul play?"

He pointed toward a man standing with a clipboard in his hand. “He's her doctor and last week he gave her a thorough checkup. Everything looked fine."

"Was she a diabetic?"

"Yes."

"When you get through here, I want to talk to you."

"Okay, I'll meet you downstairs in about fifteen minutes."

Hawkman left the area and took the stairs down to the first floor. He strolled toward the office area and noted the doors were all locked. Mackle might return a day early with this occurrence. As he headed toward the recreation room, Perry Foster charged through the entry. His suit looked like he'd slept in it, and his expression was harried.

When he saw Hawkman, he stopped in his tracks. “Dear Lord, I can't believe this has happened again."